How do I plot out my story??

Question

I'm going to write a novel soon, my question is: How do I plot out my story, how the character are gonna be, etc.??

Answer 1

Well usually I get an idea of a story and go from there. One story I am writing now has to do with cults. So I created a character based on who I want my hero to be then I just started going from there the thing about writing for me is letting my character take over and then create the characters as needed.

Okay let me give you an example I am going to write an opening on just what you said on your question.

Gina looked at Darren with tears in her eyes. She didnt want to see him go but this was her destiny her future. Darren Im going to write my novel and if you cant support me in this then I guess you are doing the right thing by leaving now.

Answer 2

I always like to start out my stories with my characters. Even if the first thing that comes to me is a plot idea, I scribble that down and then start thinking about the people, because they're the ones who are going to help you out in the end. Eventually we all (or most of us) hit a point where you just don't know what will happen next, or you know what will happen in the end, but how to get there, or how to fill up the boring space between, is just unknown. That's when your characters and the strength of their personalities intersect with the plot and carry it forward.

So I take out a blank sheet of paper and title it with my character's name and then, in narrative form (I prefer it to listing), I describe them completely- what they look like, their history, including quotes from them. Usually what starts to happen is I find myself sneaking into the plot and writing broad sketches of the story. I do this for all my characters, and usually by then I'm very excited about writing, and the plot is all in place. I make sure I have the outline of the plot written out (just a few paragraphs or a page), and let it stew in my mind.

When I finally choose to write, I get down a bare-bones structure of each major scene that turns the plot, and call those 'chapters', even though I might change the structure as I write. This is just to keep me in line. Then I do whatever writing I'm going to for the day (I usually try to finish whatever 'scene' I end on), and then I write a note to myself of what the next scene should be to remind me for tomorrow.

That's how I wrote my first novel, and it worked for me. Just remember that everyone has a different method that works for them. Good luck!

Answer 3

I like an AmericaninIreland's answer. But what a diverse group of writers answer questions. Myself, I sit and glare at the computer screen willing inspiration to leap out of the monitor. I sit very still and gradually the story starts to write itself. that's the first draft. Then I start to hone out all the fat. And so forth. By this time no one in the house has had a feed it's getting dark outside but my character is moving at a brisk trot across the pages and I can't stop until I am satisfied. Then twenty-seven hours later it's a story. Have fun.

Answer 4

It depends on how you want the story to go. Normally Exposition, Point of Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution for a plot line.
Do an internet search for Indirect Characterization for Characters, or there are a plethora of questionnaires on characters in just about any Fiction Textbook.

Answer 5

I like Cando 86's answer.

Good luck

Answer 6

Try setting up a flow-chart,: "[these people] interact, going toward [this], are surprised by [this], sending them in a different direction, toward [this],",, etc with boxes and arrows.